Vanda plant named &#39;SPCDW1801&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Vanda plant named ‘SPCDW1801’ which is characterized by a symmetrical distichous foliage arrangement with flowers held above the foliage, a light purple dorsal sepal and light purple lateral petals which are dotted with dark purple, dark purple lateral sepals that are margined light purple-violet, a labellum with a dark purple to greyed-purple central lobe and dark purple lateral lobes which are radially striped green-white, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Community Plant Variety Rightsapplication number 2018/1051, filed Apr. 17, 2018, which is hereinincorporated by reference.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus andspecies of the novel variety disclosed herein is Vanda spp. Jones ex R.Br.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Vanda disclosed hereinhas been given the variety denomination ‘SPCDW1801’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: The new Vanda plant, ‘SPCDW1801’, is the result of a plannedbreeding program. ‘SPCDW1801’ originated as a seedling from thecontrolled pollination of Vanda ‘D25M’ (not patented), the seed parent,with Vanda ‘370MK’ (not patented), the pollen parent. Both parents weredeveloped by, and are owned by, the inventor and were never commerciallyreleased. The crossing was made by the inventor in his researchgreenhouse in Bangphra, Thailand in June of 1993.

The new variety was first selected in January of 1998, in a researchgreenhouse in Bangphra, Thailand belonging to the inventor. Afteridentifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, theinventor continued confidential testing and propagation of ‘SPCDW1801’,assessing stability of the unique characteristics of this variety.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar‘SPCDW1801’, by way of mericloning, was first initiated in April of 2011at a commercial laboratory belonging to the inventor in Bangphra,Thailand. Access to all plants was restricted, as plants were kept in agreenhouse not open to the public, and tissue culture plantlets were ina laboratory belonging to the inventor, and not accessible to thepublic. Through six subsequent generations, the unique features of thiscultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SPCDW1801’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘SPCDW1801’. These characteristics in combinationdistinguish ‘SPCDW1801’ as a new and distinct Vanda cultivar:

-   -   1. Vanda ‘SPCDW1801’ exhibits a symmetrical distichous foliage        arrangement with flowers held above the foliage; and    -   2. Vanda ‘SPCDW1801’ exhibits a light purple dorsal sepal and        light purple lateral petals which are margined with        purple-violet, and dotted with dark purple; and    -   3. Vanda ‘SPCDW1801’ exhibits dark purple lateral sepals which        are margined purple-violet; and    -   4. Vanda ‘SPCDW1801’ exhibits a labellum with a dark purple to        greyed-purple central lobe, and dark purple lateral lobes which        are radially striped green-white.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary plant of‘SPCDW1801’ grown in a commercial greenhouse in Honselersdijk, theNetherlands. This plant is approximately 6 years old from the time ofmericloning, shown planted in an 8 by 2 cm container.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, the typical foliage of‘SPCDW1801’.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, the typical inflorescence of‘SPCDW1801’.

FIG. 4 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, the typical flower of‘SPCDW1801’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements made in March of 2019describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of six year-old‘SPCDW1801’ plants grown in a greenhouse in Honselersdijk, theNetherlands. Temperatures were approximately 23 degrees Celsius duringthe day and 19 degrees Celsius at night. No photoperiodic or chemicaltreatments were given to the plants. No artificial light was given tothe plants.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘SPCDW1801’has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such characteristics are approximations or averagesset forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer from the descriptions set forth herein with variations inenvironmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations arebased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

A botanical description of ‘SPCDW1801’ and comparisons with the parentsand most similar commercial variety of Vanda are provided below.

-   Plant description:    -   -   Growth habit.—Perennial; monopodial, upright. Single            monopodial leafy stem, with flowers carried above the leaf            plane; inflorescences growing from the leaf axils.        -   Average height from base (plant grown in hanging basket, so            no soil line present) to foliar plane.—40.8 cm.        -   Average height from base (plant grown in hanging basket, so            no soil line present) to top of floral plane.—59.0 cm.        -   Plant spread.—Average of 38.6 cm.        -   Appropriate container size.—8 cm by 2 cm rectangular hanging            basket.        -   Growth rate.—Moderate.        -   Plant vigor.—Moderate.        -   Propagation type.—Meristematic tissue culture propagation            using the base of the leaves.        -   Propagation details.—The time needed from for the start of a            mericlone to get the small plants ready for deflasking is            approximately 24 months under a controlled temperature of            about 26 degrees Celsius. After that period, plants have            matured roots. Plants start to make roots in the last 6            months in flasks. After deflasking they remain in a shaded            and controlled environment.        -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Plants have            not been observed to be susceptible or resistant to            pathogens and pests common to Vanda.        -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 11            and 12 and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius; high            tolerance to rain; moderate to high tolerance to wind.-   Root system:    -   -   General.—Moderately to densely rooting; with aerial roots            only.        -   Dimensions, mature roots.—42.4 cm long with a diameter of            0.5 cm, on average.        -   Texture.—Very fleshy; non-fibrous.        -   Color.—Greyed-green, nearest to RHS 192C; root apex is            yellow-green, RHS 148A.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Monopodial; no lateral branches present.        -   Number of primary (main) stems per plant.—One.        -   Number of secondary (lateral) branches per plant.—None.        -   Aspect.—Circular, formed by the leaf sheaths.        -   Length.—26.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.9 cm.        -   Internode length.—1.2 cm.        -   Pubescence.—Glabrous.        -   Luster.—Matte.        -   Attitude, main stem.—Near vertical.        -   Strength.—Very strong.        -   Color, juvenile.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145D.        -   Color, mature.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C.        -   Color at internodes.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Distichous.        -   Dimensions.—25.5 cm long, excluding the sheath, and 2.9 cm            wide.        -   Shape of blade.—Ligulate.        -   Aspect.—Moderately to strongly carinate and very slightly            curled inward.        -   Attitude.—Slightly to moderately curled downward.        -   Apex.—Unequal praemorse.        -   Base.—Sheathing.        -   Sheath dimensions.—2.5 cm long and 1.1 cm wide, on average.        -   Sheath color.—Yellow-green, nearest to a mixture of RHS 144B            and 144C.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Pubescence, texture and luster of adaxial surface.—Glabrous,            smooth, and matte.        -   Pubescence, texture and luster of abaxial surface.—Glabrous,            smooth, and matte.        -   Color.—Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Yellow-green,            nearest to RHS 144A, and becoming green towards the margins            and apex, nearest to RHS 137A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial            surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A. Mature foliage,            adaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS NN137B. Mature            foliage, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS            146A.        -   Venation.—Pattern — Parallel. Color, adaxial surface —            Green, nearest to RHS NN137B. Color, abaxial surface —            Green, nearest to RHS 143B.        -   Petiole.—No petioles present; leaves sessile.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Axially placed raceme.        -   Natural flowering season.—Autumn into winter.        -   Time to flower.—Approximately 10 months.        -   Flowers per inflorescence.—Average of 11.        -   Flowers per plant.—6 open flowers and 5 flower buds.        -   Inflorescence height.—Approximately 21.2 cm (measured from            base of lowest flower to top of upper flower).        -   Inflorescence diameter.—Approximately 17.9 cm.        -   Peduncle.—Dimensions — Approximately 46.8 cm long and 0.75            cm wide. Attitude — Generally at a 20 degree angle to            lateral branch axis. Strength — Moderately strong. Texture            and luster — Glabrous and slightly glossy. Color — Nearest            to in between green and yellow-green, RHS 143B and 144A.-   Bud:    -   -   Length.—Average of 1.9 cm.        -   Diameter.—Average horizontal diameter is 1.9 cm; the            vertical diameter is 2.1 cm.        -   Shape.—Cubic, with a deltoid apex which is pointed downward.        -   Pubescence, texture and luster.—Glabrous, smooth and            slightly glossy.        -   Color.—Purple, nearest to RHS N79B, and suffused with a            darker shade of purple towards the apex, nearest to RHS            N79A; base is yellow-green, nearest to RHS 142C.-   Flower:    -   -   Flower type.—Zygomorphic (orchidaceous), typical shape for            the genus Vanda.        -   Flowering habit.—Moderately free flowering.        -   Shape.—Zygomorphic, single; consisting of three sepals and            three petals, one of which is transformed into a labellum;            the two lateral petals strongly overlap the lateral sepals            and moderately overlap the dorsal sepal; lateral sepals            moderately overlap one another.        -   Attitude.—Flowers are outward-facing to moderately nodding.        -   Vertical height.—Approximately 9.8 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 9.4 cm.        -   Depth.—Approximately 3.6 cm.        -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.        -   Lastingness.—3 weeks, on average.        -   Persistent.—Self-cleaning.        -   Petals.—Quantity of Petals — Three unfused petals; two            conventional petals and one labellum. Arrangement — One            lateral petal on each side. Length — Approximately 4.4 cm.            Width — Approximately 4.0 cm. Shape — Broad ovate. Apex —            Obtuse. Base — Cuneate. Margin — Entire; slightly undulated.            Pubescence, texture and luster of upper surface — Glabrous,            velvety and matte. Pubescence, texture and luster of lower            surface — Glabrous, velvety and matte. Color when opening,            upper surface — Purple, nearest to in between RHS NN78A and            N79C; fading lighter towards the base, nearest to RHS 76C;            becoming purple-violet towards the apex, nearest to RHS            N81A; base of petals is purple, nearest to RHS 76B; petals            are dotted with purple, nearest to RHS N79A. Color when            opening, lower surface — Purple-violet, nearest to RHS N82A,            and fading to green-white towards the base, nearest to RHS            157A. Color when fully opened, upper surface — Purple,            nearest to in between RHS N78A and N79C; fading lighter            towards the base, nearest to a mixture of RHS 76C and 76D;            becoming purple-violet towards the apex, nearest to RHS            N81B; base of petals is purple, nearest to RHS 76B; petals            are dotted with purple, nearest to in between RHS N77A and            N79A. Color when fully opened, lower surface —            Purple-violet, nearest to RHS N82A, and fading to            green-white towards the base, nearest to RHS 157A. Fading,            upper surface — Not fading. Fading, lower surface — Not            fading. Venation color, fully opened, upper surface —            Purple, nearest to in between RHS N78A and N79D; fading            lighter towards the base, nearest to a mixture of RHS 76C            and 76D; becoming purple-violet towards the apex, nearest to            RHS N81B; base of petals is purple, nearest to RHS 76B;            petals are dotted with purple, nearest to in between RHS            N77A and N79A. Venation color, fully opened, lower surface —            Purple-violet, nearest to RHS N82A, and fading to            green-white towards the base, nearest to RHS 157A.        -   Labellum.—Shape — Three-lobed; the lateral lobes are obovate            and involute; the central lobe is broad oblong and revolute.            Length — Central lobe — Approximately 2.0 cm. Lateral lobes            — Approximately 0.8 cm. Width — Central lobe — Approximately            1.7 cm at the base; 0.9 at the apex. Lateral lobes —            Approximately 0.8 cm. Apex — Central lobe — Emarginate.            Lateral lobes — Obtuse. Base — Central lobe — Truncate.            Lateral lobes — Cuneate. Margin — Central lobe — Entire;            moderately undulated. Lateral lobes — Entire; not undulated.            Texture and luster of upper surface — Central lobe —            Glabrous, velvety, and slightly glossy towards the apex.            Lateral lobes — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Texture and            luster of lower surface — Central lobe — Glabrous, velvety,            and very slightly glossy. Lateral lobes — Glabrous, velvety,            and matte. Color when opening, upper surface — Central lobe            — Greyed-purple, nearest to a mixture of RHS N186A and            N186B, and becoming purple towards the base, nearest to RHS            N79B. Lateral lobes — Purple, nearest to RHS N77B, and            becoming greyed-red at and near the apex, nearest to RHS            182C; radially striped purple, nearest to RHS 76D. Color            when opening, lower surface — Central lobe — Purple, nearest            to RHS N79B, and fading to a lighter shade of purple towards            the base, nearest to RHS 79D; becoming greyed-purple at and            near the apex, nearest to RHS N186B. Lateral lobes — Purple,            nearest to RHS N77C, and radially striped green-white,            nearest to RHS 157A. Color when fully opened, upper surface            — Central lobe — Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS N186A, and            becoming purple towards the base, nearest to RHS N79A.            Lateral lobes — Purple, nearest to RHS N77C, and radially            striped green-white, nearest to RHS 157B. Color when fully            opened, lower surface — Central lobe — Purple, nearest to            RHS N79B, and fading to a lighter shade of purple towards            the base, nearest to RHS 79D; becoming greyed-purple at and            near the apex, nearest to RHS N186B. Lateral lobes — Purple,            nearest to RHS N77C, and radially striped green-white,            nearest to RHS 157A. Fading, upper surface — Not fading.            Fading, lower surface — Not fading. Venation — No visible            venation. Venation color, fully opened, upper surface —            Central lobe — No visible venation. Lateral lobes — No            visible venation. Venation color, fully opened, lower            surface — Central lobe — No visible venation. Lateral lobes            — No visible venation.        -   Callosities.—Dimensions — 1.0 cm long and 0.8 cm wide, on            average. Color — Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS N186A, and            fading to purple towards the base, nearest to RHS N79A.        -   Spurs.—Quantity — Average of 1. Length — Approximately            0.8 cm. Diameter — Approximately 0.4 cm. Vertical height —            Approximately 0.7 cm, at the base. Shape — Short triangular;            flattened. Apex — Bluntly acute. Base — Broad cuneate.            Pubescence, texture and luster — Glabrous, smooth, and            matte. Color — Purple, nearest to RHS 77C, and radially            striped green-white, nearest to RHS 157A.        -   Sepals.—Quantity — Average of 3 unfused sepals. Arrangement            — One dorsal sepal and two lateral sepals. Length — Dorsal            sepal — Approximately 4.8 cm. Lateral sepals — Approximately            4.9 cm. Width — Dorsal sepal — Approximately 5.3 cm. Lateral            sepals — Approximately 4.6 cm. Shape — Dorsal sepal — Broad            ovate. Lateral sepals — Broad ovate. Apex — Dorsal sepal —            Obtuse. Lateral sepals — Obtuse. Base — Dorsal sepal —            Cuneate. Lateral sepals — Cuneate. Margin — Dorsal sepal —            Entire; lightly undulated. Lateral sepals — Entire; lightly            undulated. Pubescence, texture and luster, upper surface —            Dorsal sepal — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Lateral sepals            — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Pubescence, texture and            luster, lower surface — Dorsal sepal — Glabrous, velvety,            and matte. Lateral sepals — Glabrous, velvety, and matte.            Color when opening, upper surface — Dorsal sepal — Purple,            nearest to RHS N79B; becoming a lighter shade of purple at            and near the base, nearest to RHS 76B; becoming            purple-violet towards the apex, nearest to RHS N81A; sepal            is dotted purple, nearest to RHS N79A. Lateral sepals —            Nearest to in between purple and greyed-purple, RHS N79A and            N186C; margined purple-violet, nearest to RHS N81A; base is            purple, nearest to RHS 76B; sepal is lightly dotted purple            towards the base, nearest to RHS N79B. Color when opening,            lower surface — Dorsal sepal — Purple-violet, nearest to RHS            N82A. Lateral sepals — Nearest to in between purple and            purple-violet, RHS N79B and N81A; becoming violet towards            the margins and apex, nearest to RHS 83B; becoming            green-white towards the base, nearest to RHS 157A. Color            when fully opened, upper surface — Dorsal sepal — Purple,            nearest to in between RHS N78A and N79D; becoming a lighter            towards the base, nearest to RHS 78D; base is purple,            nearest to RHS 76B; becoming purple-violet towards the apex,            nearest to RHS N81B; sepal is dotted purple, nearest to in            between RHS N77A and N79A. Lateral sepals — Nearest to in            between purple and greyed-purple, RHS N79A and N186B;            margined purple-violet, nearest to RHS N81B; base is purple,            nearest to RHS 76B; sepals are lightly dotted purple towards            the base, nearest to in between RHS N79B and N79C. Color            when fully opened, lower surface — Dorsal sepal —            Purple-violet, nearest to RHS N82A, and fading to            green-white towards the base, nearest to RHS 157A. Lateral            sepals — Purple-violet, nearest to RHS N81A, and fading to            green-white towards the base, nearest to RHS 157A. Fading,            upper surface — Not fading. Fading, lower surface — Not            fading. Venation color, fully opened, upper surface — Dorsal            sepal — Purple, nearest to in between RHS N78A and N79D;            becoming a lighter towards the base, nearest to RHS 78D;            base is purple, nearest to RHS 76B; becoming purple-violet            towards the apex, nearest to RHS N81B; sepals are finely            dotted purple, nearest to in between RHS N77A and N79A.            Lateral sepals — Nearest to in between purple and            greyed-purple, RHS N79A and N186B; margined purple-violet,            nearest to RHS N81B; base is purple, nearest to RHS 76B;            sepals are lightly dotted purple towards the base, nearest            to in between RHS N79B and N79C. Venation color, fully            opened, lower surface — Dorsal sepal — Purple-violet,            nearest to RHS N82A, and fading to green-white towards the            base, nearest to RHS 157A. Lateral sepals — Purple-violet,            nearest to RHS N81A, and fading to green-white towards the            base, nearest to RHS 157A.        -   Pedicels.—Length — Approximately 4.9 cm. Diameter —            Approximately 0.6 cm. Attitude — Approximately 95 degree            angle to peduncle axis. Strength — Moderately strong.            Texture — Glabrous, axially angled with 5 “ribs”, axially            twisted (due to resupination). Luster — Glossy. Color —            Purple-violet, nearest to RHS N81A, and fading to purple            towards the proximal end, nearest to RHS N79B.        -   Bract.—Quantity — One bract present at the base of each            pedicel. Shape — Broad oblong; folded around the base of            each pedicel. Dimensions — Average of 1.8 cm long and 1.6 cm            wide. Apex — Broad obtuse. Base — Broad cuneate. Margins —            Entire. Color, inner surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS            N144C, and suffused with greyed-purple at the apex, nearest            to RHS 187B. Color, outer surface — Yellow-green, nearest to            RHS N144C, and suffused with greyed-purple at the apex,            nearest to RHS 187B.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length — Approximately 0.7 cm. Diameter —            Approximately 0.8 cm. Color — Yellow-white, nearest to RHS            158B; base is suffused with purple, nearest to RHS 77B.        -   Ovary.—Position — Inferior. Diameter — Approximately 0.2 cm.            Color — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D.        -   Pollinia color.—Yellow-orange, nearest to RHS 15A.-   Seed and fruit: No fruit and seed production has been detected to    date.

COMPARISON WITH THE PARENT PLANTS

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1801’ differ from the Vanda seedparent, ‘D25M’ (not patented), by the characteristics described in Table1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘SPCDW1801’ ‘D25M’ Bloom habit. More freelyflowering. Less freely flowering. Inflorescence Shorter than ‘D25M’.Longer than height. ‘SPCDW1801’. Quantity of Fewer flowers than Moreflowers than flowers per ‘D25M’. ‘SPCDW1801’. inflorescence. Flowersize. Larger than ‘D25M’. Smaller than ‘SPCDW1801’. General colorationDark purple-violet. Red-purple. of the petals and sepals when fullyopened.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1801’ differ from the Vanda pollenparent, Vanda ‘370MK’ (not patented), by the characteristics describedin Table 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘SPCDW1801’ ‘370MK’ Growth habit. Moresymmetrical Less symmetrical growth. growth. Bloom habit. Less freelyflowering. More freely flowering. Attitude of the More upright. Lessupright. inflorescence. Peduncle strength. Stronger than Weaker than‘SPCDW1801’. Quantity of flowers More flowers than Fewer flowers thanper inflorescence. ‘370MK’ ‘SPCDW1801’. Flower size. Smaller than‘370MK’. Larger than ‘SPCDW1801’. General coloration Dark purple-violet.Blue. of the petals and sepals when fully opened.

COMPARISON WITH THE MOST SIMILAR VANDA CULTIVAR KNOWN TO THE INVENTOR

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1801’ are similar to the cultivar,Vanda ‘SPCDW0802’ (Community Plant Variety Rights grant number 28273). Acomparison of ‘SPCDW1801’ with Vanda ‘SPCDW0802’ is described in Table3.

TABLE 3 Characteristic ‘SPCDW1801’ ‘SPCDW0802’ Apex of the Obtuse.Oblique. flower petals and sepals. Lateral sepal More overlapping. Lessoverlapping. position. Margin undulation Less undulated. More heavilyundulated. of the flower petals and sepals. General coloration Darkpurple-violet. Violet-blue. of the petals and sepals when fully opened,excluding the reticulation.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Vanda plantnamed ‘SPCDW1801’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.